🔗 Share this article

While the iconic New York venue Studio 54 closed almost four decades ago, its unique fashion influence remains strong.

This season, the spotlight isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the furry, shaggy coats and wraps worn by celebrities and club-goers as well.

With the festive social calendar coming up, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is enjoying a major resurgence.

Shopping Statistics Shows the Trend

One of the most popular items from a latest collaboration between a major retailer and a designer brand is a short, cream, shaggy jacket with oversized lapels.

At another retailer, online queries for brown fake fur coats have surged 190% compared to last year.

The demand for pre-owned plush items is also soaring, with searches for faux fur increasing by 257% in the last six months on a popular secondhand platform.

"It's a statement coat," notes a senior style expert, explaining that it serves as the main element of an outfit.

The editor likes to style her own colossal shaggy version with low-rise jeans or leggings and short shorts.

Screen Style Echoes the Trend

The aesthetic is replicated in a new streaming romcom series, where a sister wears a toffee-colored fuzzy jacket to a informal dinner.

When challenged about her bold outfit, the sister replies, "You told us to look fancy. It's fashion!"

The Rise of the "Boom Boom" Vibe

The trend fits into what a U.S. style analyst is calling "glam excess."

Inspired by the glamour and excess of late-80s New York, this vibe evokes wads of cash, bubbly, cigarettes, high hemlines, loose morals and, naturally, fuzzy textures.

Similar to that era, the trend is emerging during a uncertain financial climate.

This style is all about dressing for the life you dream of rather than the one you have to endure.

Modern Materials and Tongue-in-Cheek Opulence

While real fur was everywhere during Studio 54's peak, current iterations are mostly made from shearling—a byproduct of the meat industry—or synthetic fabrics like acrylic.

The trend embodies a knowing luxury—as if a beloved character has taken over with overblown proportions and unexpected hues.

Celebrity Adoption and Limited Drops

An English designer was an early instigator of this trend. Her shaggy coats with curly proportions have been sported by top pop stars.

Due to strong interest, these coats are now only sold in exclusive drops. An forthcoming release includes a pink and grey style similar to a large pom-pom, as well as leopard- and tiger-print versions with exaggerated fuzzy trim.

"When you can only buy one thing, you don't want it to be a plain jumper or a pair of ordinary pants, you want a standout piece," explains a publication editor-in-chief.

The feeling is shared by a style head at a major store, who describes it "an unexpected, fun element" that doesn't require a complete outfit.

The Ultimate Mood Lifter

In the end, the fuzzy coat can act as a great pick-me-up.

"It won't cost a lot," notes the editor, "and it's going to make you feel glamorous when the world around you is pretty dreary."